Page 48 of Felix

“Quite the defense,” he teases.

“We’re not dating,” I say, even though I’m realizing that, maybe, I want us to be.

“But you two are chummy,” he replies. “Makes me wonder.”

It’s then I realize Alex, at the very least, and the rest of our coworkers at most, aren’t aware that Emil and I knew each other before I started working here. On one hand, I understand why Emil hasn’t said anything if his secret exhibitionist habits are, in fact, a secret.

But, on the other hand… There’s a part of me that wonders if he’s ashamed of me. Of whatever sort of relationship we’ve shared over the past three plus months, nearly four now. Does he not want people to know we’re neighbors and…friends?

“Chemistry,” I answer, popping the cap on my tea. “Like you said.”

“Sure, sure,” Alex answers, scrolling through his phone, even though I’m fairly certain it’s a ploy to make me think he’s not observing me. When Emil himself walks into the break room, hair freshly wet from his own shower, Alex’s eyes ping his way. “Hey, boo.”

“Hey,” Emil says, grabbing a bag of chips. He hovers for a moment before coming over to sit near me and Alex.

I can’t help but take him in, even though I just spent the better part of two hours in his presence. His dark brows are set in a line, as if he’s thinking about something with that clever brain of his. His cheeks are still a little red from the heat of the shower. And he’s perched at the edge of his seat as if attending a lecture, which I’m guessing is more due to habit than any soreness in his ass.

Compared to Alex, who exudes sexual energy, it’d be hard at a glance to guess Emil is as wild and uninhibited as he is. I wonder if that’s intentional on his part or if he’s simply used to hiding himself away.

The thought has a frown pulling at my lips, but Alex’s voice redirects my attention.

“Soo,” the small blonde says, “how’s our favorite crustacean doing?”

“He’s fine,” Emil mumbles, rolling his eyes as he opens his chips.

Alex snorts, but then he explains, for my benefit, “Emil is a crab daddy.”

Before I can figure out whether or not I should say anything, Emil pipes up. “He knows. He’s met Arthur.”

Alex’s head turns my way slowly. “Is that so?”

I shrug, although that tightness in my chest releases. Maybe Emil isn’t ashamed of us, after all.

“Although, really,” Emil continues, sounding as grumbly as I’ve ever heard him, “why you feel the need to announce that to everyone is beyond me, Alex.”

Alex gasps. “Emil. You should be proud of your shell-baby. What would Arthur say if he could hear you?”

Emil levels Alex with a flat expression that has me stifling a laugh. “Nothing, Alex. He’d say nothing. He’s a crab.”

Alex sniffs. “A crab with feelings.”

Emil shakes his head, but Alex goes on in a rush.

“Oh! Christian, has anyone invited you to Sublime yet? It’s our go-to club on Friday nights. Emil hasn’t been in ages. Maybe you can drag him along.”

“I’m sitting right here,” Emil mutters.

“I’d be up for that,” I say, giving Emil a swift grin. “Maybe I could wear that red skirt I was telling you about.”

Emil sucks in a breath. It’s quiet, and I would have missed it if I hadn’t been looking directly at him. But the reaction has my pulse hitching all the same.

“That, uh… Yeah. I guess that’d be okay,” he says.

Alex looks between the two of us. “Interesting,” he whispers.

Emil tucks back into his bag of chips, and even though Friday is days away, I’m already planning ahead. And if the outfit I have in mind is designed to drive a certain bespectacled neighbor of mine wild, well…

That can be my little secret.

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